A man in Taiwan had to undergo open abdominal surgery after doctors found a ceramic cup lodged deep in his rectum, which caused severe bloating, bowel obstruction, and intestinal damage over three days.
According to Dr. Wu Kun-Da, a surgeon from Taichung Veterans General Hospital stationed at Lee General Hospital, the patient initially complained only about being constipated.
He did not mention the foreign object due to embarrassment.
Discovered the ceramic cup during X-ray scan
It wasn’t until an X-ray scan was performed that the medical team discovered a 6cm-wide, 8cm-tall ceramic cup inside the pelvic area, with its opening facing downward.
The patient was immediately prepared for emergency surgery.
Doctors first attempted to remove the cup using various tools via the anus.
However, due to the cup’s smooth surface and its tight position within the colon, all attempts failed, including a laparoscopic surgery.
‘I don’t know how it got there’
Fearing that trying to break the cup inside the body could injure the intestine or cause infection, the team decided to perform an open surgery.
Surgeons cut into the patient’s abdomen and then opened the intestines to extract the cup. The operation lasted over two hours.
To assist with bowel movements during recovery, a temporary colostomy was created.
Dr. Wu said the patient later claimed he did not know how the object entered his body, only saying it happened “by accident.”
He had tried to remove it himself by pushing, but was unsuccessful and waited three days before seeking help.
Dr. Wu added that similar cases often stem from curiosity or risky behavior, where previous cases involved objects such as baseballs, massage tools, and even coconuts.
He warned that inserting foreign objects can cause serious injuries, including a weakened sphincter, incontinence, bowel death, internal rupture, and peritonitis — all of which could be life-threatening.
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